Escalator

/ˈɛs.kə.leɪ.tər/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A moving staircase that conveys people between floors of a building.

I took the escalator to the second floor of the mall.

A device that moves passengers between levels by the use of a continuous loop of stairs.

The escalator was out of order, so we had to use the stairs.

A feature in a building, typically used for convenience in accessing different floors.

There are escalators at every entrance to the convention center.

The word 'escalator' comes from the Latin word 'scala', meaning 'ladder', combined with the suffix '-ator', signifying a machine.

up the escalator

to ride or move upwards using an escalator.

down the escalator

to ride or move downwards using an escalator.

take the escalator

to use the escalator instead of stairs.

staircase

A set of stairs for ascending or descending.

lift

An elevator or mechanism that moves people or goods vertically.

platform

A raised level surface often found at stations.